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US TV anchor confronts racist email from viewer live on air

A US TV news anchor has refused to be cowed by a viewer who called her a “n----r”, issuing a powerful response live on air to the racist comment.

Sharon Reed, a presenter on Atlanta station CBS, confronted a female viewer who had sent a racially abusive email into the station.

Reed pulled the email up on screen, complete with the woman’s name, after she and her co-hosts had been discussing the role of race in Georgia city’s mayoral election.

The viewer, who gave her name as Kathy Rae, accused Reed of “race baiting”.

“You need to be fired for the race baiting comment you made tonight. It's OK for blacks to discuss certain subjects but not whites, really? You are what I call a N----r not a black person,” the email said.

"You are a racist N----r. You what's wrong with the world."

Responding calmly to the email, Reed said: "I didn't say that white people couldn't talk about race. Quite the contrary, we think that race is an authentic discussion to have”.

She added: "When arguing with somebody you have to be careful not to mischaracterise their viewpoint, so I won't mischaracterise your view either, Kathy Rae. I get it. On 5 December, 2017, you think it's OK to call this journalist a 'n----r'. I don't.

"But I could clap back and say a few things to you. But instead I'll let your words, Kathy Rae, speak for themselves. And that will be the last word."